All The Kings Horses….with OneTexFan

Wasn’t it impressive to see Matt throwing for three Touchdowns in a football game? It’s just too bad that the wrong “Matt” was doing his thing on the football field. Rookie Quarterback, Matt McGloin, was the man of the day as he shredded the Houston Texans’ Defense on the way to leading the Oakland Raiders to a 28-23 victory.

It all started late in 2012 when the Houston Texans had one of the best records that NFL football has ever witnessed. Following what appeared to be a glorious Championship campaign the Texans missed opportunity after opportunity when they lost three out of the last four games of the regular season, and any hope of easing into the playoffs with home field advantage in their grasp. The final blow was one of tremendous humiliation when Houston sustained the most serious cut of all at Gillette Stadium, when Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to a 41-28 victory over the Texans.

Little did we know then that such an end to such a triumphant season would give birth to one of the absolute worst records in NFL history this year. It now appears that last season’s unkindest cut of all had never healed.

Matty, my lad, I supported your actions and exploits for a long time now. You overcame a serious injury that occurred in 2011, and you gave it your best shot when you returned to the field. But it looks like you’re past your prime. It happens to the best of them.

I admit that when Matt Schaub stepped in to relieve Case Keenum I was disappointed. (Check that. I was EXTREMELY disappointed.) MS8, I just don’t believe that you have it in you any more. Perhaps you can read NFL Defenses better than that youngster of a Quarterback, CK7. Perhaps you do know football better than most people will ever understand the game. It’s time to vacate the throne. It’s time to move ahead. It’s time for a changing of the guard. A new era of Houston Texans’ football is here. It’s best for Bob McNair’s team to prepare for next season’s football. Right now is the best time for Case Keenum to gain much needed NFL experience in leading this franchise. I’m calling for Bob McNair, Rick Smith, and Gary Kubiak to put an end to the Matt Schaub experiment. It’s time to do what’s necessary for the Houston Texans’ future.
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“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” ~ Dr. Seuss

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” ~ Vince Lombardi

“Some people try to find things in this game that don’t exist but football is only two things – blocking and tackling.”
~ Vince Lombardi

The football game started in an all too familiar manner with the Houston Texans winning the coin toss and opting to Receive the Kickoff. After Tight End, Garrett Graham, fumbled the ball reality swiftly kicked Texans’ fans right in the gluteus-maximi. Reliant’s crowd of aghast spectator’s were left feeling kicked in the wallets too.

Texans 0, Raiders 7

There was more of the “same-ole-same-ole” in store for Houston during their third Offensive series of the day when CK7 on his way to setting a new Texans’ record of consecutive passes without throwing an interception went against the grain and threw a ‘pick’
instead.

Very soon afterwards the Houston Texans found themselves in a very deep hole.

Texans 0, Raiders 14

In the second quarter Keenum connected with Andre Johnson for a beautiful pass completion of 34 yards. Within that Offensive series Keenum pulled another rabbit out of the hat. Under an intense pass rush he scrambled out of the pocket, but held his composure. Just when it appeared that Case would be stepping out of bounds he spied Garrett Graham downfield and executed a magnificent pass completion which was as fine as the University of Houston home crowd had ever seen from him. Touchdown.

Texans 7, Raiders 14

With Ben Tate diligently toiling away with four cracked ribs his efforts were laudable. But the Raiders’ Defense was going to blitz Case Keenum unrelentingly for the remainder of the football game. There were times under heavy pressure it appeared that Keenum was indeed rattled and threw erratically due to the pass rush.

There is a learning curve that Quarterbacks in the NFL experience in a baptism under fire, but intense pressure can make lesser men crumble. Sometimes the pressure will produce a beautiful diamond.

With 3:13 left in the first half the Texans’ Keshawn Martin fields the Punt by the Raiders. For a split second it appeared that Martin was going to muff the catch when the ball appeared to hit his helmet. But this was one of K-Mart’s red letter specials. The Raider’s containment broke down as Martin turned on the afterburners, and jetted into the end zone for a Touchdown. Soon thereafter the score was tied.

Texans 14, Raiders 14

In the closing minutes of the half Ben Tate hit a crack in the Oakland Defense, and ran for a 17 yard gain.
Constantly under very heavy pressure and horrible pass protection by the Texans’ Offensive line Keenum dumps another pass.
This is when Texas A&M Kicker turned Texans’ Special Teamer, Randy Bullock, took his next shot at redemption while adding 3 more points to the total from 51 yards.
AFFG!

Halftime Score
Texans 17, Raiders 14

Later in the third quarter Oakland’s Matt McGloin threw deep to Rivera who was untouched going into the end zone for a Touchdown.

Texans 17, Raiders 21

Keenum was under continuing pressure in the third quarter and was sacked. He was very close to connecting with his Receivers, but closer to throwing yet another pick.
Oakland’s Rashad Jennings changed the score in favor of the Raiders with an 80 yard Touchdown run.

Texans 17, Raiders 28,

This is when the home crowd turned restless as Head Coach Gary Kubiak benched hometown favorite Case Keenum with Matt Schaub. This decision is one that turned sour for the Texans’ Coach as his decision failed to turn the tide. Schaub wouldn’t march the team into the end zone, but Bullock puts six more points on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. AFFG. AFFG.

Texans 23, Raiders 28

This score remained unchanged at the end of the game while Matt Schaub tried unsuccessfully to put his team ahead. The Texans were in scoring position at the end of the game, but still couldn’t put a third win into this season’s record book.

The Houston Texans had some moments that were worthy of the highlight reel. But the good was severely outweighed by the ‘Breaking Bad’ as the team collected their 8th loss in a row.

In a season when the thrill of victory was rarely captured, the agony of defeat is common place. The Houston Texans’ fans have embraced the Quarterback of their apparent future in Case Keenum, and they deserve to see him perform. Replacing Matt Schaub as QB was not a good move. For his boneheaded decision Head Coach Gary Kubiak deserves the STP Award of the day.